Vegas riled by clubs gone wilder

Ashley Powers, Tribune NewspapersCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Even in Las Vegas, apparently, there are limits.

In July, gaming regulators slapped the Planet Hollywood casino with a $500,000 fine for its Prive nightclub's bad behavior, including "topless and lewd activity" and dumping clubgoers in the casino "in various states of consciousness."

The same month, the Rio closed its Sapphire topless pool, managed by a local gentleman's club, after authorities arrested 10 people on suspicion of prostitution and drug crimes. Over Labor Day weekend, eight more arrests on similar charges were made at the Hard Rock Hotel's pool club, Rehab.

It's all part of a crackdown by authorities on what they see as clubs gone wild.

During the heyday of the "What happens here, stays here" tourism campaign, the must-have accessory for any Las Vegas Strip casino was a nightclub that lured Hollywood starlets and tourists alike.

That has sometimes proved to be an ill-fated mix. Some clubs have vexed officials for their mimicry of fraternity parties -- including stripping contests, fistfights and accusations of drug use and sexual assaults.

Most of the clubs, which pull in tens of millions of dollars, successfully keep thousands of tourists under control. But the venues have a penchant for envelope-pushing.

In 2006, the state Gaming Control Board told casinos it was concerned about reports of violent, excessively drunk and underage clubgoers. In the last year, authorities saw an uptick in prostitution and narcotics crimes at Strip hot spots, said Officer Bill Cassell of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

It was "Prive-gate" that truly rattled the town's after-dark scene.

In July, when Planet Hollywood agreed to the $500,000 fine, which Prive partly paid, the casino also acknowledged a lengthy list of violations: Patrons were involved in drugs and brawls, and minors were served alcohol. Some clubgoers were hospitalized after drinking too much. Authorities noted "significant prostitution activity" near the club.

Planet Hollywood agreed to monitor Prive more closely and retooled the club's lease, which the casino can more easily terminate if problems resurface. If regulators cite Planet Hollywood for similar infractions before next August, the casino must pay an additional $250,000.

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Slow to learn

In the last two years, Clark County, Nev., has warned Las Vegas clubs about a wet boxer shorts contest and women shedding shirts at events with names like "Lose the Tan Lines" and "Boobs or Bust." Some clubs launched stripping contests; others tried to sneak around no-nudity ordinances by slathering women in body paint.